Table top



Patented Aug. 4, 1931 PATENT OFFICE `WARREN S. BELLOWS, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSLYV TABLE TOP Application led October 1, 1926. Serial No.v138,823.

This invention relatesto an improvement in table tops, more particularly lfor tops of light-weight or folding tables.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for securing the cloth cover over the top of a folding table without the necessity for a separate rim or molding around the outer edge ofthe table top.

' Another object of the invention is to proride a cheap and convenient means for securing the top in the top frame of a table of this type, having-all the advantages of the prior construction and being easier to @per Another object of the invention 1s to provide a fabric covered table top'in which the fabric is protected by a transparent flexible covering permanently securedv to the table.

Various other objects and advantages will appear as my description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a portion of the table top showing my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a portion of the top and top frame, illus-r trating how the connection is made between these members; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, illustrating theruse of the fleX- ible covering overy the fabric.

In the ordinary folding or card table, a top rim is provided into which is fitted a table top, made usually of light wood, plaster board or cardboard. The legs are secured to the top frame and a fabric covering is placed over the entire top and frame and secured around the edges of the top frame by means of a molding or rim. Both 4o the top frame and the molding must be nailed and accurately fitted at the corners and metal corners attached to the rim to 4provide the required strength.

My present invention dispenses with the use of this outside molding or rim, the metal corners, etc., and with the securing of the flexible covering around the top frame, and simplifies the securing of the top in the frame. 5e In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, in Figure l the top frame is indicated by the reference numeral l and is provided with a rabbet or recess 2 in its inner top yedge into which the edge 3 of the top 4l of the table may be received. The top 4 is preferably of some light-weight material of suitablestrength, such as plaster board, cardboard, light-weight wood or the like.

tion for receiving/the nail 9 by which'the Y top is nailed to the top frame member..

Any suitable number of'these strap menibers may be used for securing the top in the top frame. Preferably'y three or four of the straps 6 are used on eachV side of the top. Inasmuch as the top member l is of plaster board, cardboard or other light-weight material, it is not feasible to nail or otherwise attempt to secure the strap 6 to the underside of these members, but by passing the' bent straps or staples through the two holes 7 and bending one projection 6b so as to lie along the lower surface of the topmember, a securing meansis provided which firmly holds the top without putting a great strain on the light-weight material of which the top is constructed. The portionGa on the upper face of the top and the portion 6b on the bottom 'surface of the top being .of fairly wide material, give a very firm securing means on the top without any concentra-ted strains.

A flexible cloth or other suitable fabric covering l() is preferably stretched over the tope of the table and secured in the rabbet 2 between the edge of the top niembervand of the top frame. rIhe fabric ,l0 may be clamped between these members by the pressure of these members when secured together or may be secured to the edges of the top.,

by gluing or the like. By securing the fabric in this way, va much more simple as-r sembly is provided than where the fabric is stretched over the outer edges of the top frame and a separate molding applied, approximately three inches of fabric are saved on each edge, the outer rim or molding for ihe top frame is eliminated and the work of assembly is simplified. The corners and the frame may be rounded. and the usual metal corners omitted. The straps 6 provide a ready and easy means for securing the top in the frame in a manner which permits the top and fabric covering to be removed or reapplied when desired without destroying or tearing any portion of the top or frame. The top may be nailed in place at a much smaller cost than gluing the same in alace and is held more secure.

In Figure 3 of the drawings a similar form of construction is used, in which the top 4 is secured in the rabbet 2` of the frame i by means of straps 6 and a cloth cover l0 is provided with a suitable transparent flexible covering ll of transparent paper, Celluloid or the like. The coifering ll is secured to the top in the same manner as the flexible covering l0 and serves to protect the cover l0, while at the same time exposing the design of the cover l0 to observation. The flexible covering ll is preferably of material which will permit washing, so that the cloth covering l0 is kept bright and clean at all times and the flexible covering l1 may be cleaned by washing when desired.

It will be understoodthat vvarious modiflcations may be made within the spirit of my invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A table top construction, a top frame having a rabbeted inner edge, a top member of light-weight material adapted to lit into said frame, a plurality of metal straps,

each strap extendingalong the upper and lower surfacesof said top member and extending through two holes therein and providing a projection having a perforation therein for securing the top member in the frame and means for securing the said projections vto the frame.

2.` A covered table top construction comprising a frame having a rabbeted innerv edge, a top of relatively light weight within said frame, a plurality of metal straps, each extending along the upper and lower surfaces of said top and through two holes therein, and providing a projection having a perforation therein for securing the top member in theV frame, means for securing said projections to said frame, and a cover for the top with a portion of the cover eX- tending between the top and the rabbeted inner edge, the cover concealing the straps on the upper surface of the top, andv filling the space between the top and the inner edge of the frame.

8. A table top construction comprising a frame, a top of relatively light Weight within said frame, and a plurality of metal straps for securing the top to the frame, each strap being secured to the frame below the top and extending above the top and along the upper surface thereof, and being passed through an opening in the top and extending from said opening along the lower surface of the top.

el. A covered table top construction comprising a frame, a top of relatively light weight within and spaced from said frame, a plurality of metal straps each secured to the inside of the frame below the top and extendii g' above the top and along the upper surface thereof and being passed through an opening in the top and ext-ending from said opening along the lower surface of the tcp, and a cover for the top with the edges of the .cover secured between the top and the frame, the cover concealing the straps on the upper surface of the top and adapted :to fill the space between the top and said frame.

In testimoni,7 whereof I have affixed my signature to this specilicatio'n.

winnen s. nnLLows. 

